Corridor mentor Job Stuff, and more stuff Part 1 in Tales of the Jointed Track

It is the spring and summer of 2011, and for those that lived with the Midwest flooding of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, and it's tributaries, you know a big part of the story.

The BNSF is being hampered or getting washed out, along the Missouri River. Parts of the Napir and St Joseph Subdivisions are being overtaken, or made impassable. It's going to be like this from May through, early September. The BNSF is re routing, coal, freight, alcohol and grain, thru Denver. A lot of the return empties, come back this way as well. They need a troubleshooter and some one to inspect power, head end and DP's, to keep the operation fluid. So when the crews, reported for duty, they got on, and left.

This area, the old Joint-Line, now the Pikes Peak Subdivision, the Brush Subdivision, part of the Front Range, and the Denver Terminal was going to be the Territory to be covered. These were 12 hour shifts again, but "specified" for on duty times. There was no relief, for days off, also there wasn't a night shift either. The people at Big Lift, would aid as needed.

As the plan was being formulated. I was requested to be part of this. They wanted me for the Corridor mentor job. Me, yuck driving into Denver, Big Lift is 12 minutes away. I was told why I was hand picked. I knew the operation, I was a former Company officer, and knew more than they wanted to admit. This would help keep delays to a minimum. I didn't want it, but I told them I would do it. I needed, a company vehicle, or they pay fuel and mileage for mine. I need a place and a computer to log into and a LISS program, to update as needed. All was provided. We had issues with, a company phone and a vehicle, but I made it work with mine, Cell and Truck. What's that costing us ? What's its costing you, without it. If I am working this, I ain't begging or playing games period. That hit home, and I was going to show them and make it work.

I was told to report for the job. It would be 900 am to 900 pm. Four days on, two days off, and I basically called the shots. I was stealth, and did what was needed, and made presence known, if needed. I was always in contact, and it exceeded their expectations.

Tales to follow